NTsKi, 7FO D’Ya Hear Me! (2019)
Emerging from the UK’s late 1970s DIY scene, Brenda Ray (also known under aliases like Brenda Kenny and Polly Rith’m) developed a sound blending post-punk, dub, reggae, bossa nova and lo-fi pop. It is warm and intimate, thanks in part to the intentionally homemade and unpolished vibe, and it comes as no surprise that her songs were often recorded using basic equipment like reel-to-reel tape recorders and 4-track cassette decks. Floating over echo-laden, dubby rhythms, Brenda’s vocals—sometimes barely a whisper, sometimes more chanted than sung—sound soft and airy.
Brenda’s first recordings happened as part of the English outsider collective Naffi Sandwich, releasing music on their self-run label Naffi. These early works are dreamy, bass-heavy and playful, embracing spontaneity and experimentation. Originally distributed on cassette tapes and 7” vinyl, the tracks gained underground cult acclaim. Among these early recordings is the cheeky post-punk banger “D’Ya Hear Me!” from 1981, which more than 30 years later became the title of a compilation released by the Japanese label EM Records.
A couple of years after that, in 2019, Kyoto-based vocalist NTsKi and Osaka-based producer 7FO reinterpreted the title track of said compilation, creating a laid-back digi-reggae track with an unexpected lovers rock vibe—a refreshing contrast to the original’s raw, DIY punk-dub sound.
NTsKi and 7FO’s version is our song of the day and also gives you an idea of the rest of this week’s selections, each of which, in one way or another, taps into the idea of dub and reggae—often from far beyond the island itself.
Dig Deeper
In 2020, Oscar-winning artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen directed Lovers Rock as part of his Small Axe anthology. The film offers an immersive portrayal of a single night at a 1980s West London house party hosted by members of the Caribbean community. Lovers Rock, named after a romantic subgenre of reggae, centers on music, dance and fleeting connections. While subtly acknowledging the racism and threats outside as well as tensions within the community, the film remains a powerful celebration of Black joy, love and cultural resilience.
Watch here
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